Kinetics of the reextraction process of soybean protein in reverse micelles

The article discussed the kinetics of reextraction process of soybean protein through systemically studying the effect of main factors(pH values, ionic strength in the aqueous phase, initial protein concentration of organic phase, shaking speed and temperature) on total mass transfer coefficient in AOT(sodium bis-(2-ethylhexy) sulfosuccinate)-isooctane reverse micelle system. The results indicate that the total mass transfer coefficient increases with the increasing of temperature and pH value of aqueous phase; the total mass transfer coefficient increases and then decreases with the increasing of ionic strength; it is almost not influenced by protein concentration in organic phase and the shaking speed. It shows that the diffusion resistance of soybean protein in the aqueous phase and organic phase can be ignored and reextraction process is controlled by the interface resistance. Therefore, it can be concluded that the reextraction process belongs to the interface control type, and the velocity is controlled by coalescence process of 'full reversed micelles'. The mechanism of soybean protein reextraction process is understanded, which can effectively control and enhance extraction process, increase the extraction rate and provide reliable data and theoretical reference for further research.